PHYS 172: Modern Mechanics

Spring 2022

∆𝒑 = 𝑭∆𝒕 ∆𝑬 = 𝑾 + 𝑸 ∆𝑳 = 𝝉∆𝒕
Lecture 03
Tuesday, Jan. 18th 1
 RECAP: Momentum & Mom. Change
Momentum: Change in Momentum:
𝑝Ԧ ≈ 𝑚𝑣Ԧ ∆𝑝Ԧ = 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 − 𝑝Ԧ𝑖

NOTE: When 𝑣 is comparable to

𝑐 (speed of light), then 𝑝Ԧ =
1
𝛾𝑚𝑣Ԧ where 𝛾 = 𝑣2
1− 2 2
𝑐
 Momentum At Higher Speeds
• The speed of light
c = 3 x 10+8 m/s

• Note: when 𝑣Ԧ ≪ 𝑐,
𝛾 ≈ 1. E.g.
– 𝑣Ԧ = 3 x 10+7 m/s ⇒ 𝛾
≈ 1.005 ≈ 1
– 𝑣Ԧ = 1.5 x 10+8 m/s ⇒ Whether it is a reasonable approximation
𝛾 ≈ 1.155 ≈? 1 depends on the required precision.
In general, a good rule of thumb is an order of
magnitude
• Definition : 𝑝Ԧ ≡ • General: 𝑣Ԧ ≪ 𝑐 ↔ 𝑣Ԧ < 0.1𝑐
𝛾𝑚𝑣Ԧ ≈ 𝑚𝑣Ԧ • In this context: |𝛾𝑚𝑣Ԧ - 𝑚𝑣|=|(𝛾
Ԧ − 1)𝑚𝑣Ԧ < 0.1𝛾𝑚 𝑣|
Ԧ
Validity of Approximation
Q8. Three protons travel through space at three
different speeds.
Proton A: 2.9 x 105 m/s
Proton B: 2.9 x 106 m/s
Proton C: 2.9 x 108 m/s
For which protons is it reasonable to use 𝛾 ≈ 1?
A. Proton A
B. Proton A & B • Quick check: 𝑣Ԧ < 0.1𝑐
• More accurate check:
C. Proton A, B, & C |(𝛾 − 1)𝑚𝑣Ԧ < 0.1𝛾𝑚 𝑣|
Ԧ
D. None of the above
RECAP: Using Momentum to Update Position

• From earlier in the

lecture, Position 𝑟Ԧ𝑓 ≈ 𝑟Ԧ𝑖 + 𝑣Ԧ𝑖 ∆𝑡
Update formula is:
• At slow speeds, 𝑝Ԧ
𝑣Ԧ𝑖 ≈ 𝑣Ԧ ≈
velocity is given by: 𝑚
• Putting it together:
𝑝Ԧ
𝑟Ԧ𝑓 ≈ 𝑟Ԧ𝑖 + ∆𝑡
𝑚
 IMPULSE
The change of an object’s momentum is due to an
IMPULSE – a force exerted by something in the system’s
surroundings acting on the object for a brief period of time.

റ = ∆𝑝Ԧ = 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 − 𝑝Ԧ𝑖

𝐹Δ𝑡
Result of the
IMPULSE

But, what causes something to change its

momentum i.e. receive an impulse? 7
 Finding Impulse Direction
Q1. A ball falling straight down
bounces on the floor and
rebounds straight up. Which
green arrow indicates the
direction of the impulse
applied to the ball by the
floor?
A. Arrow 1
B. Arrow 3
C. Arrow 5
D. Arrow 7
E. None of the above 8
 CONTRASTING PROBLEMS

• In what ways are the problems similar?

• In what ways are the problems different?
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 SYSTEM & SURROUNDINGS
• SYSTEM: General Case
– A set of objects for which we wish to know,
or already know the change in momentum.
• SURROUNDINGS
– Everything that is not included in the
system form the surroundings.

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 ASSUMPTIONS & APPROXIMATIONS
• ASSUMPTIONS
– Information not explicitly provided, but we can take to
be true for creating a solvable model of the problem.
– E.g. Assume no friction or air resistance.
• APPROXIMATIONS
– The value of a physical quantity that is nearly,
although not exactly correct.
– They allow you to construct a simplified model of a
physical scenario (e.g. motion of a planet around star)
– E.g. ∆𝑡 is small, 𝛾 = 1

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 FORCE
• A push or a pull. SYSTEM

• A Force is…
– Exerted ON a SYSTEM of
objects (or single object).
– BY the SURROUNDINGS

SURROUNDINGS

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 Other Example
Ball hitting wall: (Recall problem from last lecture)
• Ball is the SYSTEM
• Wall is the SURROUNDING

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 System & Surroundings
Q2. Two moving cars collided
head on into each other.
Which is the system and
which is the surroundings?
A. The car on the left is the system, the car on the right is the
surrounding
B. The car on the right is the system, the car on the left is the
surrounding
C. Both cars together are the system, the ground and everything
else is the surrounding
D. It depends upon what problem you are solving, and what
car’s momentum change you want to calculate
E. None of the above 14
 Examples of Forces
• Gravitational attraction
• Tension due to pull on a rope
• Force of an object pushing on another
• Friction force of one object sliding on another
• Compressed/extended spring force

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Measuring Force
• Force can be measured using a
spring.
• Force due to a spring is directly
proportional to the
extension/compression in spring
𝐹Ԧ𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝑘𝑠 𝑠
• Where:
𝑘𝑠 is the spring constant
𝑠 = 𝐿 − 𝐿0
𝐿 is the extended/compressed length
𝐿0 is the original length
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Here’s how to understand the force exerted
on an object system by a spring of relaxed
length L0 in a more general situation.

The vector is the position of the

movable end of the spring relative to the
fixed end.

If we define the “stretch” of the spring as

positive when the spring is stretched
negative when the spring is compressed
we can express the force the spring exerts on the ball as
The Newton, N, is the unit of force, so, the
spring constant ks has units of N/m.

Check: When the spring is stretched, s is positive and the force points from the
ball’s location back toward the spring’s fixed end. When the spring is
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compressed, s is negative so the direction of the force is correctly reversed.
 Net Force
When more than one force acts simultaneously, the
vector sum of all forces acting ON a SYSTEM is:

𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹Ԧ1 + 𝐹Ԧ2 + 𝐹Ԧ3 + ⋯

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 MOMENTUM PRINCIPLE
ONE of THREE key principles used in this class
IMPULSE
∆𝑝Ԧ = 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 ∆𝑡 Time interval
during which
NET FORCE momentum
MOMENTUM changes, but
exerted
CHANGE of SYSTEM: over which 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡
ON SYSTEM, BY
∆𝑝Ԧ = 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 − 𝑝Ԧ𝑖 SURROUNDINGS : is constant

EFFECT 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹Ԧ1 + 𝐹Ԧ2 + ⋯

CAUSE
This is also known as NEWTON’S SECOND LAW 19
 Momentum Principle Graphically
Ball
• Suppose you know the System

initial (𝑝Ԧ𝑖 ) and final (𝑝Ԧ𝑓 )

momenta of a system.
• You can find the (∆𝑝Ԧ =
𝑝Ԧ𝑓 − 𝑝Ԧ𝑖 ) of the system.
• The Net Force (𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 )
exerted by the
surroundings on the
system is in the same
direction as
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 Finding Direction of Net Force
Q3. This figure shows the positions y
and momentum vectors of an object
at an initial time ti and a later, final
time tf. Select the arrow that best
represents the direction of the x
average net force on the ball during
this time interval? A
A. Arrow A
B. Arrow B B
C. Arrow C C
D. Arrow D
E. None of the above D
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 Predicting Path y

Q4. The figure shows the top view of a

hockey puck on ice that is sliding in 𝑝Ԧ𝑖
the –y direction. When it reaches
the origin, it is struck with a force for
𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡
a very short time in the +x direction. x
Eventually the puck is traveling at a
certain angle  with respect to its
initial direction. What path did it
follow?
A. Path A
B. Path B 

C. Path C 
D. None of
above 22
 y
PROBLEM 0.16 kg

The 0.16 kg hockey puck is moving at

5 m/s
5 m/s in the –y direction as shown.
When it reaches the origin, it is struck
with a hockey stick in the +x direction, 𝐹Ԧ𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑘
and later found to be moving at an x
angle of 37° with respect to its initial
direction. Assuming that the contact HINT:
time with the hockey stick is 0.01 The components of the final
momentum are shown
seconds, what is the force exerted by
the hockey stick on the puck? 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝑝Ԧ𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
KEY ASSUMPTIONS: °
• Force of hockey stick is constant during contact time. 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 37°
• Friction force is negligible during contact time
• Air resistance force is negligible during contact time
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 Momentum Update Principle
• From Momentum Principle: ∆𝑝Ԧ = 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 ∆𝑡
– Where momentum change is : ∆𝑝Ԧ = 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 − 𝑝Ԧ𝑖

• Putting these together: 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 = 𝑝Ԧ𝑖 + 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 ∆𝑡

• More generally: 𝒑𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 = 𝒑𝒏𝒐𝒘 + 𝑭𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘 ∆𝒕

Momentum of a system Assumption :

a short time into the 𝑭𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘 is
future depends upon it’s
constant over
momentum now and net
force exerted on it now
time interval
by objects in the systems ∆𝒕 (small)
surroundings. 24
 Iterative Prediction of Motion
Momentum Update: Position Update
(last lecture):

𝑝Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝑝Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤 + 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤 ∆𝑡 𝑟Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝑟Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤 + 𝑣Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆𝑡

If we assume that the
average velocity is
related to the future
momentum, such that:
𝑝Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝑣Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑔 ≈
𝑚

𝑝Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
Then we get: 𝑟Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝑟Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤 + ∆𝑡
𝑚

when the force is NOT strictly constant 25

 Iterative Prediction of Motion
Summarizing the iterative process…
• Calculate the Net Force acting on the system:
𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤
𝑝Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 becomes 𝑝Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤
at the new position
• Update the Momentum::
𝑝Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝑝Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤 + 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤 ∆𝑡

Repeat
𝑟Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 becomes 𝑟Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤
• Update the Position: at the new position
𝑝Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝑟Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝑟Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤 + ∆𝑡
𝑚

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 𝑣Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑔 Clarification
𝑣𝑓 +𝑣𝑖
• If there is a constant force: 𝑣Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
2
𝑝Ԧ𝑓
• If non-constant force: 𝑣Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
𝑚

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 Example of Iterative Prediction :
Projectile Motion – Constant Force
• In projectile motion: 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤 = 0, −𝑚𝑔, 0
– Because the only force (in absence of air drag) is weight (mg)
acting in –y direction.
• You can use this to calculate the new position after each step.
– Diagram below shows the first four steps.

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 Problem - Ch2
You throw a rock of mass 0.24 kg into the air, and it leaves
your hand at t=0s at location <0,2,0>m with velocity
<2.5,6,0>m/s. At this low velocity air resistance is negligible.
Using the iterative method shown in section 2.4 with a time
step of 0.05s, calculate step by step the position and
velocity of the block at t=0.05s, t=.10s, and t=0.15s.

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 PROBLEM: Non-Constant Net Force
A spring has a relaxed length 𝐿0 . You glue a block of mass 𝑚 to the
top of the spring, stiffness constant 𝑘. You push down on the block to
compress it so that its total length is 𝐿. You make sure the block is at
rest and then you quickly move your hand away @ 𝑡 = 0.
Find the position of the block after time ∆𝑡. Use the bottom of the
spring as the origin.

• System : Block 𝑚
• Surroundings: Spring + Earth

𝐿
 Net Force on Block
Q5. In the situation described in the previous problem, what is
the net force on the block in this situation
A. Force due to gravity
(downward)
𝑠 = 𝐿 − 𝐿0
B. Force due to spring
(upward)
C. Force due to spring
(downward)
𝑚
D. Force due to spring (upward)
+ gravity (downward)
E. Force due to spring 𝐿
(downward) + gravity
(downward)
SOLUTION: Iterative Prediction of Motion
Choose ∆𝑡 such that 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 does not change significantly.
STEP 1: Start @ 𝑡 = 0, So: 𝑝Ԧ𝑖 = 0, 0, 0 , 𝑟Ԧ𝑖 = 0, 𝐿 , 0
• Calculate 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡,𝑖 = 0, +𝐹𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝐹𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ , 0
→ 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡,𝑖 = 0, −𝑘 𝐿 − 𝐿0 − 𝑚𝑔, 0

• Update Momentum: 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 = 𝑝Ԧ𝑖 + 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡,𝑖 ∆𝑡

→ 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 = 0, 0, 0 + 0, −𝑘 𝐿 − 𝐿0 − 𝑚𝑔, 0 ∆𝑡

𝑝Ԧ𝑓
• Update the Position: 𝑟Ԧ𝑓 = 𝑟Ԧ𝑖 + ∆𝑡
𝑚
1
→ 𝑟Ԧ𝑓 = 0, 𝐿 , 0 + 0, −𝑘 𝐿 − 𝐿0 − 𝑚𝑔, 0 ∆𝑡 2
𝑚
 Problem – Ch2
A spring of relaxed length of 25cm and a stiffness of
11N/m stands vertically on a table. A block of mass 70g is
attached to the top of the spring. You pull the block
upward, stretching the spring until its length now is 28cm,
hold the block at rest for a moment, and then release it.
Using a time step of 0.1s, predict the momentum and
position of the block at a time 0.2s after you release it.

𝐹Ԧ𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 = −𝑘 𝑠Ԧ
 Iterative Prediction of Motion
• Calculate the Net Force acting on system:
𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤 But, how do you
estimate interaction
time ∆𝑡 in a
problem?
• Update the Momentum:
If you know the
𝑝Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝑝Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤 + 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤 ∆𝑡

Repeat
distance 𝑑 it
travelled during the
interaction, then ∆𝑡
• Update the Position: is approximated by:
𝑝Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑑
𝑟Ԧ𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝑟Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤 + ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ≈
𝑚 𝑣Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤
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PROBLEM
A 1000 kg vehicle traveling at 30 m/s
smashes into a tree and comes to
rest as shown. The front of the car is
compressed a distance of 0.3 m.
What is the average net force
exerted on the car by the tree?
(Neglect friction)
𝑑
∆𝑡 ≈
𝑣Ԧ𝑛𝑜𝑤

∆𝑝Ԧ = 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 ∆𝑡
SOLUTION
• System: Car Surroundings: Tree
• Assumptions : Force by tree is constant, No friction
• Mom. Principle : 𝑝Ԧ𝑓 = 𝑝Ԧ𝑖 + 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 ∆𝑡
𝑚 𝑚
Given : 𝑚 = 1000 𝑘𝑔, 𝑣Ԧ𝑖 = +30,0,0 , 𝑣Ԧ𝑓 = 0,0,0 , 𝑑 = 0.3 m
𝑠 𝑠
𝑝Ԧ𝑓 −𝑝Ԧ𝑖 𝑚𝑣𝑓 −𝑚𝑣𝑖 𝑣𝑓 −𝑣𝑖
Find: 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 =? Ԧ
From Mom Principle : 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = = =𝑚
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡
But we are not given : ∆𝑡 =?
𝑑 𝑣𝑖 +𝑣𝑓
So, use : ∆𝑡 ≈ where 𝑑 is distance from initial to final, and, 𝑣Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑔 2
𝑚 𝑚
+30,0,0 + 0,0,0 𝑚 m
Substituting : 𝑣Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝑠 𝑠
= +15,0,0 → 𝑣Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 15
2 𝑠 s
𝑑 0.3 𝑚
So: ∆𝑡 ≈ = m = 0.02s
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑔 15
s
𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 −𝑣𝑖 0,0,0 𝑠 − +30,0,0 𝑠
Substituting back in Mom. Principle: 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚 = 1000𝑘𝑔
∆𝑡 0.02𝑠
So: 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 = −1.5 𝑥 106 , 0,0 𝑁
 CONTRASTING PROBLEMS
A 1000 kg vehicle A tennis ball has a mass of 0.057 kg. A
traveling at 30 m/s professional tennis player hits the ball
smashes into a tree and hard enough to give it a speed of 48 m/s.
comes to rest as shown. The ball moves toward the left, hits a
The front of the car is wall and bounces straight back to the
compressed a distance of right with almost the same speed (48
0.3 m. What is the m/s). High speed photography shows
average net force exerted that the ball is crushed about d = 2.5 cm
on the car by the tree? at the instant when its speed is
(Neglect friction) momentarily zero.

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 Be Sure To…
• Complete
– Go to Brightspace
• See Syllabus and Course Schedule
– iClicker Registration
– HW 02 due 11:59 PM Wednesday (1/19)
– HW 03 due 11:59 PM Friday (1/21)
– Attend your assigned Recitation (by Registrar) this week! Recitation 02
can be found in Brightspace, Week 02 Folder.
– Attend your assigned Lab (by Registrar) this week! Lab 02 can be
found in Brightspace, Week 02 Folder.
• Read relevant sections in text as per syllabus, before next lecture

SEE YOU NEXT LECTURE!

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